In an interview with Angop, the official explained that only a procedure considered normal for the transfer of spare parts - which were in stock at this factory - is taking place to repair faults in other production units of the Castel group.
He also clarified that the material is being removed from the first filling line, deactivated in June 2019 due to the general condition of the equipment, which was obsolete.
The second filling line remains intact, which has an automated system installed during the modernization process of the plant, which took place between 2005 and 2008 and involved an investment in the order of US $ 30 million.
"There is no deactivation of machines at Eka. What exists is a platform for technological exchange and raw materials between the group's companies, which allows one unit to dispense materials in aid of another," he explained.
In spite of everything, the former factory workers do not accept this explanation, showing that they are afraid that this operation will result in the complete dismantling of the factory unit, jeopardizing the promised resumption of operations.
It is recalled that the brewer Eka suspended production last June, justifying the action with the increase in operating costs. Subsequently, the company was transformed into a commercial warehouse by the Castel group for other beer brands such as Soba Catumbela, Cuca, 33, Nocal and Cobeje.
Thus, the Eka brand started to be produced only in one of the group's production units located in Bom Jesus, in Luanda.
The shutdown of the Cuanza Norte plant, located in Dondo, put 147 of the 170 workers employed at the factory into unemployment. Considered one of the largest units in the province, it was the largest taxpayer in Cuanza Norte, with more than 186 million kwanza / month, due to the payment of several taxes, according to Angop.
